Hiking is no picnic on its own. Hiking during days when the mercury rises to scorching levels, however, can make it all the more unpleasant. You need to be suited in gear that will let the body breathe from head to toe. Vasque’s all-new Inhaler II GTX was built for that weather.

A mid-top hiking boot, it sports an upper constructed from 1.4mm PU-coated leather with abrasion-resistant 3D mesh walls to ensure high levels of breathability during hot weather hikes, along with perforated ventilation ports on the molded toe and heel counters. Further elevating the passage of air to your feet is a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort lining, which also denies entry to any puddles or shallow water you walk on along the way on top of its foot-cooling talents.

Unlike most hiking boots, the Vasque Inhaler II has a build similar to athletic shoes, so it won’t feel stiff when you need to pick up the speed on the trail, whether you’re trying to escape an unexpected downpour or trying to run away from a bear. A Vibram Pneumatic sole with Megagrip compound rubber ensures excellent traction over unpredictable terrain, so you can pound the ground with surefooted assurance every step of the way. Features include low-friction lacing, a dual-density TPU instep shank footbed, and a molded EVA midsole. It’s lightweight, too, with each shoe weighing less than a pound each.

Available in black/green and gray/orange, the Vasque Inhaler II Hiking Boots are priced at $159.99.

My hiking boots used to be Vasque, but I have since switched to Keen. Keen Footwear is awesome because of the rubber toe guard. Keen has a patented toe guard that none of their competitors have. If I could get Vasque boots with the rubber protective toe from Keen I would extremely happy.

Vasque makes some amazing hiking shoes, along with a few duds. The Vasque Inhaler II is a great boot. These boots work great for hiking comfortably with or without a load, in a variety of conditions. The Inhaler boot also drys quicker than solid leather traditional hiking boots.

The EVA midsole provides a lot of comfort and protection, but the added shank keeps it from being too “spongy.” If you are looking for a protective boot that is comfortable and light then the Inahler II is a good choice. If you are looking to hike with a heavy load for an extended period of time such as the Appalachian Trail, then you might be disappointed in them. They will handle trails and you will see them being wore by through-hikers on long trails, but they are not as durable as others. Do you want more durability or more comfort? If you opt more for comfort over durability the the Vasque Inhaler II is a great boot to consider.